The Dangers of Winter Weather for Your Aging Parents

When Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose, he brings with him increased level of danger for our senior community. Every son or daughter with aging parents begins to come down with debilitating worry. Seniors living alone pose an increased level of risk, but when winter weather hits in Bethalto, IL, it’s crucial to plan ahead for the dangers of winter weather for YOUR parents.

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Hypothermia is a threat to every aging citizen because their internal body heat escapes much more quickly than that of a young or middle-aged adult. When the body temperature drops below 95 degrees, it can result in heart attack, liver damage and kidney issues due to restricted blood flow to the arteries and blood vessels. Seniors should take precautions when the weather drops below even 60 degrees!

If your aging parent has an existing heart condition or any circulatory disorder, frostbite can creep up on them quickly. It commonly effects extremities and exposed body parts like the nose, cheeks, fingers and toes. If untreated and continually exposed, it can lead to loss of limbs!

Many seniors aren’t even certain that they are at risk until hypothermia or frostbite is upon them.

Be sure to limit time outside and always bundle up! It’s recommended for senior citizens to avoid going outside for prolonged periods of time when the temperature is 32 degrees or below. Burr!

Influenza

Older adults are susceptible to developing dangerous side effects and complications from the flu. According to the CDC, “it’s estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.” (High Risk for Flu)

Most insurance plans cover most or all of the cost of the annual influenza vaccination. Aging parents may feel a bit leery of getting the flu shot due to age-related changes in their immune systems and that it may possibly cause adverse reactions such as muscle aches and pains, injection site discomfort and headache.

However, vaccination side effects may be far less uncomfortable than flu-like symptoms or hospitalization. Be sure your elderly parent talks to their doctor to see if the season influenza vaccine is a good fit for them!

Falls and Accidents

One of the most common and potentially most dangerous winter weather concerns are falls. Whether inside the home where no one can get to them quickly due to inclement weather conditions or outside while sweeping off the porch, falls in seniors can be catastrophic.

The CDC estimates that one-fourth of all seniors ages 65 or older fall each year and one out of five suffer from broken bones or a head injury. Millions of our parents are hospitalized each and every year. (Adult Falls)

In the wintertime, Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent, causing muscular weakness, then leading to an increase in traumatic falls. The lack of sunlight and an aging parent’s reduce ability to absorb Vitamin D from the foods they eat, this could be a valid concern that warrants your attention.

If your elderly parent is living independently and operates a vehicle, the snow and ice that accompanies Illinois winters is an intense danger to our seniors. With a slower reaction time, vehicular accidents are much more common.

Just traveling to pick up prescriptions at your local pharmacy can be a life-changing event. If your aging parent drives alone, urge them to use more populated streets, opposed to rural roads (if possible) to ensure that someone will aid them in the case of an accident.

Mental Wellness

It is a fact that so many seniors suffer from Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD). Sometimes called “the Winter Blues,” Seasonal Affective Disorder is much more than that.  It’s not just being alone for a vast majority (if not all) of their day, but as the holiday seasons approach, they are missing their family and friends (not to mention financial concerns but we’ll get to that next).

According to AgingCare.com, SAD can result in feelings of depression, loss of appetite, poor sleeping habits and a decreased interest in social activities (just like that Vitamin D deficiency). If your mom or dad has expressed any signs of depression or change in their normal habits, it might be time for a visit to the physician’s office to talk about some options. Whether Seasonal Affective Disorder or a Vitamin D Deficiency, their doctor can help.

Food Insecurity and Othe Financial Burdens

We’ve all paid into Social Security since our very first paycheck from places like Weathervane Ice Creme or Airport Plaza Bowl, but who knew that the monthly income for your retired parent would barely cover their basic needs.

As you know, winter weather in Illinois can be treacherous. For elderly citizens who rely on food services like Meals on Wheels, the Illinois Department of Aging, or even grocery delivery services, when the weather is bad, your mom or dad is the one who will pay the price.

Food insecurity is a massive concern for our senior community, and they are often left in the cold. Literally.

Not only can the lack of food cause huge distress for your elderly parents, the sheer cost of heating oil, electric heat and propane places an undue burden. When the heating fuel runs out or the heating bills pile up, the temperature inside your aging mom’s home plummets quickly to compete with the bitter cold outside.

It is advised to keep internal home temperatures no less than 65 degrees for seniors to ensure their health and safety. Be sure to perform upkeep on drafty windows and doors to keep the heat in and the cold out.

What DO YOU DO?

Do these worries keep you up at night? Are you constantly checking in on your aging parents to make sure they are OK in addition to your full-time job and taking care of your children and home?

It’s a lot.  I get it.

If you have questions, Villa Rose Senior Living Community can help. Reach out to one of our team members to talk about options for independent living here in Bethalto, IL. All the benefits of living alone with the resources and supportive assistance every aging parent needs – just when they need it… and you can stop agonizing over whether your older parent ‘s belly is full, their apartment is warm and whether they are safe. We treat residents as if they were our own parents. Give Us a Call or schedule a tour to see if Villa Rose might be your mom or dad’s home away from home.